Technical Abstract:
A mathematical model was used to predict seed cotton moisture content in the overhead section of a cotton gin. The model took into account the temperature, mass flow, and specific heat of both the air and seed cotton. Air temperatures and mass flows were measured for a second year at a commercial gin in Mississippi during the 2012 season. Results still showed high variations in the mass flow rate of both the air and seed cotton (9 and 16%, respectively), and a low drying air temperature (127 °F). The model is more responsive with higher drying air temperatures. The model performed slightly better the second year due to due to synchronizing the sampling of seed cotton with the recording of air temperature and air mass flow. However, predicted seed cotton moisture content still correlated poorly with actual seed cotton moisture content. Improvement must be made in measuring the mass flow of air, and determining seed cotton mass flow in real time. Having an accurate measurement of seed-cotton moisture content in a cotton gin would help ginners determine how much heat to use to dry the cotton.